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Community Events Toolkit - Parks and Open Spaces

The following booking procedure applies to council owned parks and recreation grounds. 

Council owned open spaces

To book any South Derbyshire District Council owned parks and recreation grounds, write a letter to:
Grounds and Facilities
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
DE11 0AH

Or email: grounds@south-derbys.gov.uk

Please state when you would like to use the park and for what purpose.  You will then be sent the lease Terms and Conditions. The council parks are licensed for music events however the majority of the recreation grounds are not licensed.  For further information contact the Grounds and Facilities Department on 01283 595782.

The Healthier South Derbyshire website contains a comprehensive list of recreation grounds, children's play areas and open spaces in the district. Visit www.healthiersouthderbyshire.org/physical-activity for more detailed information.

Please contact individual parish councils for information regarding booking their parks and open spaces. 

For information on Parish Council contact details go to Parish and Town Councils and Councillors.

Sport specific pitches

There are a number of council sports pitches available for hire to play football, cricket, flat and crown green bowls and tennis at locations in the Swadlincote area.

Football pitches

Football pitches are generally booked on a block, season long basis, for both Saturday and Sunday usage.  They are generally out of commission for maintenance between May and the start of the season in September.  There are football pitches at:

  • Woodhouse Sports Ground (three pitches) 
  • Chestnut Avenue,  Midway (two pitches) 
  • Newhall Park (one pitch)
  • Maurice Lea Memorial Park (one pitch).
  • Oversetts Road Recreation Ground, Newhall

Cricket pitch

Eureka Park - Available for hire April to September.

Bowling greens

Available for hire from April to September.

  • Maurice Lea Memorial Park (one flat and one crown)
  • Newhall Park (one crown)
  • Eureka Park (one crown). 

Tennis courts

Available for booking all the year round

  • Maurice Lea Memorial Park (six courts) 
  • Eureka Park (two courts). 

Netball courts

Available for hire from April to September.

  • Maurice Lea Memorial Park.
  • Eureka Park.

Council owned parks

Eureka Park

Newhall Road
Swadlincote
DE11 0BA

  • two tennis courts (available for booking all year round)
  • two netball courts
  • crown green bowls (available for hire April to September)
  • miniature / crazy golf
  • children's play area
  • football pitch
  • cricket pitch
  • changing facilities
  • half court basketball
  • trim trail adventure walk (walking)

Maurice Lea Memorial Park

York Road
Church Gresley
DE11 9QP

  • full size football pitch
  • changing facilities
  • three tennis courts (available for booking all year round)
  • netball court
  • basketball court
  • hardcore area
  • crown green bowling (available for hire from April to September)
  • children's play area

Newhall Park

  • full size grass football pitch large grass area
  • changing facilities
  • children's play area
  • hardcore area including basketball court, five a side football and tennis courts (available for booking all year round)
  • The Local Scout and Guide building is situated on the park 

Swadlincote Woodlands and Park Area

Derby Road
Swadlincote
DE11 8EB
Play area, picnic area and climbing rock

Leisure and forestry centres

Green Bank Leisure Centre

Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AD
Tel: 01283 216269
Online: www.everyoneactive.com

The centre has a 25m swimming pool and learner pool, main sports hall and subsidiary hall, squash courts and the gym with over 60 pieces of modern equipment. In addition, the centre offers a wide range of courses and an ideal venue for events and functions. 

  • 25m main swimming pool
  • trainer pool
  • two sports halls (with lift for access)
  • six badminton courts
  • two basketball courts
  • two squash courts
  • health and fitness suite (gym)
  • creche facilities
  • bar, cafe and lounge exercise classes include: body pump, body combat, body attack, spin, step, aerobics, aqua, total toning, body balance, bums, legs & tums, core blimey, forever fit (50+), extend (chair based exercise), dance, yoga, pilates.

Other information:

  • Swadlincote swimming club
  • wide range of swimming courses open from child to adult ages
  • gymnastics club
  • road runners club
  • martial arts courses
  • football coaching
  • basketball coaching
  • children's parties, weddings and other functions
  • soft play

Rosliston Forestry Centre

Burton Road, Swadlincote
Tel: 01283 563843
Online: www.roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk

A great range of activities are on offer at Rosliston Forestry Centre ranging from enjoying the peace and quiet of the countryside and its birds and wildlife to playing Laser Combat games in the woods. The site itself is open every day, and there is a lot you can do without paying - like visit the bird hide, or have fun on the outdoor adventure play equipment.

  • various trails and walks ranging in difficulty (walking)
  • cycle hire (cycling)
  • falconry experiences
  • laser games
  • archery
  • orienteering
  • log cabin accommodation
  • restaurant
  • talks, workshops
  • guided walks
  • large programme of events
  • parties, meetings and school visits are all available too.

Etwall Leisure Centre

John Port School
Etwall
Derbyshire
DE65 6LU
Tel: 01283 733348
Online: www.south-derbys.gov.uk

This joint use site comprises a 25m swimming pool, squash courts and tennis provision. It is open to the public in the evening and weekends during school term time and daily, during school holidays.

  • 25m swimming pool, with observation lounge
  • squash courts
  • tennis courts
  • netball court

other information:

  • Etwall Eagles swimming club
  • Headstream Divers sub aqua club
  • water polo club
  • triathlon club

Melbourne Leisure Centre

High Street
Melbourne
Derbyshire
DE73 8GF
Tel: 01332 863522
Online: www.south-derbys.gov.uk

Description of facilities:

  • badminton court
  • two squash courts

Swadlincote Ski and Snowboard Centre

Hill Street
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 8LP
Tel: 01283 217200
Online: www.swadlincoteskislope.co.uk/

Open throughout the year for recreational skiing, snowboarding and blading with lessons available for every standard. Tobogganing and snow tubing rides along with birthday, school and corporate days are also available.

  • 160m main ski slope, with ski lifts
  • nursery ski slope, with ski lifts
  • 650m alpine toboggan run
  • bar and restaurant area
  • function lounge

More venues

Many villages will have local venues available for hire such as village halls, church halls and community centres for reasonable prices – investigate what’s available in your local area.

Beehive Farm Woodland Lakes

Rosliston near Burton-on-Trent
Derbyshire
DE12 8HZ
Tel: 01283 763981
www.beehivefarm-woodlandlakes.co.uk
Woodland farm offering fishing lakes, caravan and camping site, animal farm, tearooms and nature conservation in the heart of The National Forest

Calke Abbey and Park

Ticknall near Derby
DE73 7LE
Tel: 01332 863822
email: calkeabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk
Online: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
A vivid example of a great house in decline with extraordinary contents, historic park and restored garden.  The National Trust property and parks hosts numerous events from Family Fun days to guided walks and talks.

Catton Hall

Walton-on-Trent
South Derbyshire
DE12 8LN
Tel: 01283 716 311
Online: www.catton-hall.com
Situated in acres of parkland along the river Trent near Walton-on-Trent; Catton plays host to a range of outdoor shows and events throughout the year.

Conkers

Rawdon Road
Moira
Swadlincote
DE12
Tel: 01283 216633
Online: www.visitconkers.com
Conkers, located at the Heart of The National Forest, is a unique mix of indoor and outdoor hands on experiences that keep visitors engaged for hours.  These include 23 different outdoor activities, lakeside restaurants and regular workshops, craft and music events.

Elvaston Castle

Elvaston
Thulston
Derby
DE72 3EP
email: yew@elvastoncastle.org.uk
Online: www.elvastoncastle.org.uk

Sharpe's Pottery

23 West Street
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 9DG
Tel: 01283 222600
Online: www.sharpes.org.uk

Sharpe’s Pottery Visitor Centre
West Street
Swadlincote
DE11 9DG
Award-winning visitor experience.  Homely 19th century pottery sensitively converted into a tranquil retreat for exploring local history and culture by day, enlivened by concerts in the kiln and with a delightful café.  Base for the South Derbyshire Tourist Information Centre.  Range of events and activities hosted.

South Derbyshire CVS can also provide information and advice on community venues, telephone CVS on 01283 219761.

For more information on Cultural Events in South Derbyshire please see our Cultural Calender.

page ref: SDDC 401

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